Recent Memories
Reconnecting with our shared local history.
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
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Has it changed over the years?
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How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?
This week's Places
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Displaying Memories 22001 - 22080 of 36890 in total
I was a projectionist at the cinema, we had a change of programe three times a week. The manager then was Mr Charles Ellis, he then lived at Halam, he used to bike to work then. There was also a ballroom at the top of the cinema, the people came from all over to dance on Saturday night. I also have seen long queues waiting to get into pictures.
There was also for a short time live talent shows on the stage. There ...see more
I was born (53) in one of the pre fabs in Hornbeam Road that backed onto the fields & the Roding river where many a worm was lost when we tried to catch stickle backs & sliding down the dump on a piece of tin. My mother’s family, Harry & Mabel Street, are from Buckhurst Hill & Loughton & lived around Queen Street & around St John’s Church. I went to St John’s school for a year ...see more
Does anyone remember Ted and Edith Potts who lived at No. 4 North Croft? They loved ballroom dancing and used to go to the Embassy opposite St. Bartholomew's church where I was married. They were my parents. They lived next door to Polly Burdus, a retired local school teacher who laid claim to teaching the Blue Peter presenter, Peter Purves! On the other side of us was Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Colin. In Forest ...see more
There used to be a youth club held inside the Brook Secondary School of an evening & live bands on Friday nights. It was fun going there & 'being in school' when not being in school.. if you know what I mean! I was a member of the youth club 5 a side female football team, I don't remember winning too many games but when we won against the Debden team, we got away rather quickly. I ...see more
I fondly remember being taken to the market by a lovely girl from Tingley, a Miss Maureen Peatfield. Being a lad from the very north of England I had never seen as much activity. The thing that surprised me the most was the girls all had their hair in big rollers with all sorts of head scarves wrapped around them. I also remember she bought a piece of cloth (was it dog's tooth?) and when went out to the Ship in Leeds ...see more
If Lopping Hall was the hall behind The Crown pub, then that's where my sister and I went to Ballroom Dancing lessons. I think they cost 2 shillings and 6 pence a lesson.
My memories as a child are walking over the army ranges from West Lulworth to Mewps (as a family group) after lunch on a Sunday to collect winkles for tea. I also remember beach combing on the shore of the bay and finding all manner of flotsam washed up - from timber to discarded cigarettes.
The picture is Man'o'War rock looking east towards Ball Stone rock and St Oswald's Bay.
The Margate cliffs were chalk. An extremely tall church named The Holy Trinity Church sat in the middle of Trinity Square about 800m from the sea. During the war, the roof had collapsed leaving the outer walls, tower and spire still standing. Over the years, the roof rubble had been removed from inside leaving the floor intact, the font, marble and tiled floor still in good order. Tony knew the ...see more
The Margate cliffs were chalk. An extremely tall church named The Holy Trinity Church sat in the middle of Trinity Square about 800m from the sea. During the war, the roof had collapsed leaving the outer walls, tower and spire still standing. Over the years, the roof rubble had been removed from inside leaving the floor intact, the font, marble and tiled floor still in good order. Tony knew the ruin and ...see more
I see when I read other peoples memories they often mention friends' names, so to try to provoke some response to my memories, Malcolm Riley, Paddy to most of his friends, and Peter Bunn, and the times we had together are imprinted in my mind, they enhanced my life.
I was adopted with my 3 sisters by a RAF couple who was stationed in Hong Kong. Our parent came back to the UK in 1957. My father was stationed at Compton Bassett in 1960 for 2 years. Our story of the Barraclough family was printed in the Daily Sketch 1961. The title was On Wheels of Joy. I remember going to a village school 2 miles from the camp.
I paddled below it and made camps in the cut hay and hid in the barns, who are you?
I went to Eastbury boys school, lived then in Blake Avenue, had vert fond memories of Barking town centre, also played in Eastbury House. I remember the pie mash shop and the coffee bar next to the picture house called the Electric or known as the bug hole.
My first school was Purlwell. Then I attended Warwick Road School in Batley Carr. I remember the flats being built up the side of Hyrstlands Road. We used to have so much fun going up and down ladders and scaffolding. Needless to say, before H & S. Also, when they were knocking down the old houses, or slums (not that I would call them that, people lived in them and they were their homes), one day when all ...see more
I remember first going to this school as if it was yesterday, my mum also went there and I remember my mother saying that she had a teacher and her name was Maisie Clements and another who did geography, so when I went there they were both still there teaching us. I never liked the geography teacher because he always had a massive long stick on his table that reached to the back ...see more
I was born in Felmongers then moved to Mark Hall Moors when I was very young. My parents were one of the first to move to Harlow from London and my Dad had to have a job to qualify for a council house. He worked in Templefields and my brother and I went to school at Tany's Dell. I remember this block as we used to go up to the top to look at the view!!
This picture looking across the roundabout to what was The National Provincial Bank directly opposite The Old Surrey Hounds Pub. On the corner where the photo was taken from was The Westminster Bank, this is where I first worked after leaving school in 1972. The following year The Provincial and The Westminster merged to form Nat West and we were then working across the road in The Bank in this picture. I have many happy memories of my time there in Caterham.
I lived in Seymour Road, Beddington Corner from 1940 until my parents moved to Carshalton in 1957. As a child I first attended Hackbridge infants school followed by the junior school and finally on to the dizzy heights of Elmwood County Secondary, having failed the 11 plus which was rigged in those days so that the bulk of the 10\% who passed came from a private prep school called Collingwood paid ...see more
I've put this date for want of something better. I was born in Ilfracombe in 1955 and lived with my parents, Charles and Marjorie Thomas, until I left to come and live in Spain in 1973. Our home was a house called Cherry Cottage, Coril Head, Braunton. To get to it you had to walk up SIlver Street. I remember the Summerfields, who lived in the house you can see on the left hand side of the photo. Anne ...see more
I was also posted to Burniston Barracks from Catterick Camp with the Royal Signals 5 AA Signals Reg. as an OWL and was married just up the road from the barrack's at the local church.
Dickie Dors was the paymaster and also we had a great singer there by the name off Jimmy Jack, he was from Scotland.
I always remember the lovely smell of the bakery and seeing their chimney smoking away whilst they were baking the bread. I used to love going into the shop as a child to buy freshly cooked bread and I would enjoy picking the hot crust off on my way home to Mum. Happy Memories of my childhood in Wolverton and where I lived for 20 years until 1975.
I remember the winter of 1947 when the snow stopped us going to school at Lower Heyford. I can't remember for how long although it seemed weeks. My father farmed at Daisyhead Farm and he and Ernie Knapton and Billie Butler took milk on a tractor and trailer over fields to the station at Lower Heyford. This was because the roads were blocked with snow and the milk lorry couldn't get through. We ...see more
Hi once again. I remember when I was at Langley, it was the best years of my life. We had a really good life with people that really cared about you.
I forget some of the names but I remember Matron Galliger, Nurse Scott, Sister Thompson and most of all Miss Stobart our teacher, she was a lovely lady, very smart, sometimes dressed in Lincoln green.
Then there were us kids ourselves that made Langley ...see more
Hi from David Stewart, I have a brother Maurice and a sister Elaine, we lived at No 1 Tudno Place, Penlan, and went to St. Joseph's School. When my sister was born we had to move to a bigger place, and ended up in No 48 Eppynt Road, Penlan, I then went to Penlan Multilateral school for boys. Me and my brother sometimes went to the Vetch field to see the Swans play! He still supports them ...see more
From 1952-1963 my family lived on Kenton Rd. in a house backing onto the Kenton Tennis Club (now Rufford Close). I was five in 1956. Memories of sunny Sunday afternoons in the back garden with the soundtrack of good-natured tennis matches; memories of the mid-1950's snows with JH Brazier milk-floats and the rag-and-bone cart struggling through. (Horse manure was collected on Kenton Road by eager gardeners when I was a ...see more
I was 4,nearly 5, when I moved into Denholme from Bramley Leeds, and started school at the D.P.S, Mr H Heinghton was headmaster then.
A lot has gone out of Denholme since I have come back, the mills and lovely small shops.
l moved to Redditch in 1972, lived in Ombersley Close, Woodrow South.
l attended the Leys High School, Mr Anstis was our headmaster, a very strict, but fair person. Other names l remember are: Mrs Dingley (art), Mr Turner (English & drama). Pupils: Gail Beard, Rob Jakeman, Kevin Griffin, Michael Alcock, Beverley Stokes, Phil Guest, to name a few. After leaving school in 1974, my first job was at John Dyer & ...see more
I owned this home from 1970 'till 1978, loved it dearly and still do. Although I live in America now I always try and drive past when I'm visiting the UK. It's been kept up wonderfully through the years. Bruce Gowers
I have a copy of a marriage certificate, of a marriage which took place in Allensmore Church in 1824, between JAMES PRITCHARD and MARTHA PREECE, has anyone got any further information they can give me? (These persons were my Great/Great/Grandparents).
My name is Matthew Mason and my granma Florence Breary, previously Mason, and Coxon before that, lived at 20 Ridding Road and some of the happiest and warmest memories I have were of the time I spent from my birth in 1961 to the time I left in 1966 for Edinburgh with my Mum and Dad and brother and sister. My Grandad was also Mattie Mason who died in the May of 1961 and his eldest son, my Dad was John Mason. ...see more
I was born in 1937, I lived with my Mam and two brothers Alan and Peter.
I went to Langworthy Rd School from 1941-1952.
We lived at No. 8 Madelaine Street off High Street
My dad was in the Army so I didn't really know him till he came home.
My best friend was Dennis Harper who went John Street School.
We used to go to Chimney Top Park and Buile Hill.
I can just about remember the bombing and stopping in the ...see more
I went to Rokesly School and remember the willow tree, and standing in a line with girls and boys separated at playtime. I also remember Renee, the lady who owned the corner sweetshop. My mum and dad worked in the Hornsey Tavern, my brothers and sister playing on the bombsite opposite. I remember playing in Priory Pasrk and Ally Pally and the fruit and veg shop on the corner, watching carnivals and visiting Santa and Christmas caroling. Any more memories from anyone?
I was born Andrea Ward in Wellington at the Bradley Moore Nursing Home, my parents lived in Oakengates. My grandfather Thomas Turner was a lay preacher with the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Ketley. His wife was Mary Ann. I have been back a few times to visit. Last time, as they pulled down the Chapel, I was given the font from which I was christened, which had been donated by Thomas. I live in Australia, as my ...see more
The blacksmith's shop was at Jack Geddes' farm opposite the Quakers' burial ground. I used to go in and watch sometimes when my brother and I were bringing milk from Cockburns farm further along on the other side of the road. I lived in Park View till 1948. I remember Geddes had a great big Irish wolfhound called Ruff, he used to sleep under the table that the milk churns stood on waiting for collection. My ...see more
My name is Pauline Powell, my maiden name was Bromley. Where I lived on the corner of Moseley Road in Bilston there was a farm on the corner of the road called Dickie Bevan's farm, can anybody remember it? Us kids used to have fun there. I was one of four children and I have fond memories of St Leonard's, me and my brothers were all christened there and a relative of mine played the organ there ...see more
My Great Grandfather, George Joseph Moules, was born at Letchmore Green in 1873.
I was brought up by my parents, Tom and Norah Hill in Willington, along with my 5 siblings. We moved from North Terrace to Brown Avenue on Dene Estate. I often went to play on the swings and top-hat just outside the Miners Welfare Hall. Sometimes I would sit and watch the men play bowls on the green, or the tennis players in the courts. My father would play billiards in the Welfare Hall on his days of ...see more
This is where my husand John Tuff grew up. I'm going to buy this picture for John as John now has Alzheimer's disease and when he sees this picture it will bring back some of his memory as a boy. John played as a boy by this castle and he told me about when a German plane crashed by the castle and how John and his pals got chased by the police and home guard.
I'm uploading my video archive of Treherbert, just search my Archive folder at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzXQHnMnhr8
I lived with my grandparents on Coniston Road, the Kenny family. This was the happiest times of my life! Care free. Everyone was your aunty or your uncle, and you felt safe..
The canal was the pull of every child in the area, happy times.
Dear Francis Frith, We are, 10 Buckley St, mum & dad. Elsie & Billy Connor.
I was only a few months old when this pic was taken. I lived at 44 Station Road till I was about 7 (I think), the last time I went there it was a Samaritans. There was a sweet shop across the road from where I lived, I think the shop owner's name was Dave and I always got free sweets when I went in there with my mum or nan. I also remember the cinema because it was a massive blue corragated iron building, I may have to take a trip on google street map and see what it looks like now.
I actually work at Solent dry cleaners now so it's very strange seeing it as it was 46 years ago. I have just told my boss about this photo too x.
A basket of freshly cut potatoes, In it goes to a hot frying pan Till it turn into golden in colour Basket of aroma of fried chips. Slices of seasoned and boneless fishes, Dropped into a pan with deep hot oil Just 3 mins for to float and cook Savourly juicy fish you taste and never forget. From this row of shop you find Fish & Chips not all it served... Malaysian Fried Rice, Is one of dish you ...see more
I was at the Royal Hospital for a few months in 1971, a wonderful memory rekindled due to working on the Wirral lately...38 years since I was there but I remembered just where it was while passing through Heswall. I remember Nurse Hessian very well, a happy go lucky young woman,v ery kind too. Eric Sullivan, Jimmy Mcgrail are names that spring to mind, Wendy Owen, a girl from my home town of Wrexham. I remember ...see more
My great-great-great-grandfather lived there and he owned The Railway which is next door, he changed the name from The Navigation to The Railway, his name was James Worth.
Parish Church Heston where I was married in 1962. My son David was baptized there. I loved Heston. I remember where they had places to tie your horse and also a horse trough. My dad William Francis Ponsford worked on Heston aerodrome during WWII and yes I remember the bombs and the doodlebugs. Even today I do not like sudden loud noises. Spent a lot of time at Heston Swimming ...see more
Every Saturday morning my brother Frank and sister Lorna and I were there for the children's matinee so much fun. We were born during WWII and I remember how close our neighborhood was and the Odeon was part of it. When I got a little older I used to go to the dances held in the room on top of the Odeon. What beautiful memories it has for me. We lived on Broad Walk not far from All Saints Church where the bomb ...see more
I worked at Langley pit and coming home one morning from work on my motor bike, a 350 AJS, I hit the milk cart, Barney was dragging Toby across the road in front of Nuttalls shop having come from hillside, no one hurt, head ight broken, happy days.
The stream in front of the war memorial ran down to the Browney river a few hundred yards below the Dean, where half of the Witton school kids learned to swim in deep pools created by dams made by Harry Bell and Davy Reynolds, they were much older than me and both very good swimmers and catapault makers. A lot of local familys picnicked at the bathing holes or the green bridge. Mr John Holmes, farmer, ...see more
Does anyone remember School Place, Birkenhead? It was in Watson Street. Also does anyone remember the prefabs at the top of Garnet Street opposite Oak and Eldon Gardens?
A nice memory of Hugh Bell School was that at assembly each morning when the weather was fine, the old men would sit in the park outside to listen to our hymn singing. Hence "Old Man's Park". They had no money and their scruffy dogs were on bits of string while they filled in their time with nothing to do. Could you imagine old men these days listening to children sing hymns? Not everything has changed for the better.
I was born in Kingston on Thames in 1943. In 1947 my family moved to Thames Ditton close to the old AC car factory and then in 1949 to Lovelace Gardens in Surbiton. At the very young age of 7 or 8 my mother used to send me off on my own on the 65 bus with my rubber flippers and inflateable ring to learn to swim on my own at The Ace of Spades Hotel swimming pool. This was a ...see more
I was born in Quarrington Hill in 1941 and left to train as a nurse aged 17. Being post war it was difficult, everything on rations and little money. My school was Cassop County Primary. Our days were spent on the village green, rose-hip picking, blackberry picking, catching tadpoles, going to Cassop bluebell wood, street games with all village families, just wonderful happy times. I now live in Jersey, ...see more
Like Gwilym Evans I was enlisted into HM Forces in 1944, along with my twin brother. We were born in May 1926. Served with RASC as drivers first in Wiltshire, England, driving 3 ton vehicles, then in Italy and Egypt where we took over a tank-transporter Coy. We were demobbed in October 1947. Cannot now recall exactly when I went to Brooksby, late 1949 /early ...see more
On market days my father would take me to see ferrets which were displayed in cages on stands under the trees by County Hall, in the area now occupied by public toilets.
I remember moving to Twycross with Mum and Dad (Leslie and Louie Jones) and it was in the middle of the war. Dad had to go into the RAF and I remember going to Atherstone Station to meet him one day when he came home on leave. He was in the RAF for about two years he then returned and went to work back at Measham Colliery. My Grandma Frances Jones lived opposite with my Grandad James Jones and ...see more
My grandmother was born in Holwell in 1892. Her name was Gertrude Ellen Betts and her parents were William and Rose Ella Betts. Does anybody have any information about them please?
Written by my mother when she was 70. She lived in Swaisland Road I think one of the things you would have noticed was the number of barrage balloons all around, high in the sky. The first sound of guns which we heard was far away, and sounded like horse trotting. The one night the air raid sirens sounded, and we went down into the shelter –we heard anti-aircraft guns in the distance and a couple of ...see more
My great great uncle must have been well known to many a Daltonian. His name was Jonty Harper and he was commissionaire at the Roxy picture house in Market Street.
He is believed to have been quite a stern man and didn't appreciate anyone getting in without paying. If anyone else can add to this it would be nice to hear your memories of him.
Where is Gillian England that went to Elmwood school? I have been informed that her name was Gillian England not Gillian English. I still wonder what happened to her? Ronshelleyis@gmail.com USA
Hello,
I have just come across this site and have been reading some of the memories about Howden, I went to Howden Primary School, I lived in Wear valley Junction or the Junction as it was known to us kids. I remember Mrs Heslop at the primary, we used to call her fatty Heslop, but I do not think that she was fat compared to some people now. I also remember Mr Moore who I think was the Head Master, he used ...see more
In reply to Christine Conroy re. Cyfyng chapel/school, in the Wybrnant valley, Penmachno. Despite being a few yards on the Dolwyddelan side of Afon Wybrnant, the 'border' betwen Penmachno and Dolwyddelan parishes, Cyfyng school was opened in the chapel in 1900, for the benefit of children from the lower parts of Penmachno parish. It was one of SIX schools in this large parish just before the First World ...see more
I remember The Grand Hotel in the mid to late 1950s. My cousins lived in Marlborough Road, the end of which ran past the rear of the 'Grand'. I can't remember whether it still had a roof, but I do remember that it was possible to get inside the place if you knew how. We did play in it, but did not get hurt or told off for being in there. I suppose it could have been dangerous, but when you are in ...see more
Wow.. those boats are still plying their trade today although the boating pool is on the southside near the spa nowadays and has been for a few decades. I remember my Nan taking my brother and myself in the long hot summer of 1976 to have a go on these boats...for a 11 year old they were the height of cool....happy days indeed !!!!
I recall receiving a Coronation Commemoration Mug, in my nursery school in June 1953. I was 5 at the time. My father was a resident Doctor in St. Michaels Hospital in Braintree. Does anyone know the name of the school ? One came out the main hospital gates, and turned left down the street. St Francis does ring a bell.
I lived in Peel Street in Tipton from 1950 till 1966 when we left to live in Australia, I also attended Tipton Primary School, then Tipton Grammar School from 1961 to 1965 but I also remember Owen Street quite well. I remember Mrs Yates from the newsagents, a member of her family looked after me while my parents both worked until I was old enough to look after myself after school, I used to call her Nanna White, ...see more
I have been tracing my ancestry from Australia back to Great Britain. One of the ancestors has it noted that he was born in Rye House, Hertfordshire. Googling brought up this wonderful photos of this place. Knowing I will never be able to visit my ancestor's origins, it is a wonderful thing to have access to photos such as this. Thank you.
Although I was born in Whitchurch [Bark Hill], we moved to Prees soon after. However, I was sent to stay with my grandmother most weekends and for a period I was sent to the Wesleyan school. My grandmother lived in Mill Street, and I used to walk along the canal regularly, it was opposite her house. During, and after, the war she ran a welcome little business of storing cycles ...see more
I rather enjoyed my young days at Clements Hall, Hockley children's home. We use to go scrumping and the corn on the cob field was right next to us, so we never went hungry, just ended up with tummy aches the next day. The playing field next to us was known as the cricket field and we used to make the tea for the cricketers. Then we would have days out to Southend and had one of those sun huts to do ...see more
I can remember this very, very well indeed, also the pilgrims, they used to come down to the bandstand and have a great day out with all the Sunday School etc etc,t he green tents and deck chairs lol, oh my, this brings back good memories.
This is the cottage where my maternal grandfather's family used to live. Thomas (born 1828) and Mary Hadwin had 12 children and lived all of their life in this house. Their granddaughter "Carrie", born in 1877, lived there with them, too. I'm yet to discover if the house was occupied by the Hadwins previously.
This photo is taken from outside my grandparents house, Church Cottage, Church Road. This old tree caused some stress to my granddad as every year children would come and throw sticks to bring down the best conkers. I left in 1972 aged 14 to go to New Zealand. But this tree brings back great memories. My Great Aunt lived across the road another of your photos. We lived at 13 Fobbing Road. I may be on the other side of the world but this page has brought so many memories.
My maternal grandfather's family came from Cark in Cartmel. The cottage nearest to the bridge was/is called "Beckside". Our family know it better as "Grandma's" house. I've found that she lived there from around the time she married, which would have been in the 1850s. She and her husband, Thomas Hadwin, had 12 children. The bridge was known as "Carrie's bridge", as one of my granddad's aunts ...see more
This picture was taken a year after I left Trefriw for Canada. I was married at St. Mary's Church and lived at Tan Dderwen near Crafnant Lake, later at Glanrafon in the village. My parents were the Proprietors of the Victoria Hotel in Llanrwst and I have many happy memories of living in Trefriw, and this was the view from my window. The bus to Conwy stopped in front of the building on the ...see more
I lived in Patchway in the 1960s, every weekend friends and I would catch the train to Severn Beach to go swimming in the pool there, I wonder if it's still there, I guess not. I remember the stinky change area :) and the crowded pool, great times they were !
I attended Pengam school until 1945, when spotty Willliams was the head master, only a little man but he could swish the cane on you which I remember well. During the war we all had to carry our gas masks with us everywhere, when there was an air raid warning we were billeted out to local households but more often than not we would go playing on the slag heaps, going under the arch to get to them. ...see more
I went to Llanelidan school in the 1950 s with my cousin Gwyn Rowlands from Sowrach, I was from Betws yn Rhos, Colwyn Bay.
Coming down from a castle in rural Scotland to live in Chingford....I never forgave my parents; soon however I discovered Joan - an early girlfriend and love of my life; but she left with her family for the tea plantations of Kenya in 1957 despite my poem to her beauty and the biggest easter egg I could buy. Although by the late 60s I couldn't wait to leave, I have so many happy memories; pals at ...see more
I was born in 1982 and spent my life until 1995/96 growing up in Cchickenley. My memory is the long hot summers, playing in the fields that looked out over Thornhill with all friends and family and jumping into the hay stacked for us by the farmer. We all knew each other and looked out for one another.....only going home when we were hungry, the rest of the time was adventures!! We used to wait for 'Joe ...see more